Sports Minister M S Gill today lambasted the Australian Tennis Federation for asking the ITF to shift next month's Davis Cup tie against India out of Chennai, saying the ATF should not have rushed to the world body without discussing its security concerns with the Indian government.

"I believe the Australian tennis federation should not have rushed to the world federation (ITF) seeking to change the venue of the Davis Cup tie scheduled in Chennai (from May 8 to 10). Chennai is in fact the safest place in India and a tennis stadium, at best, accommodates 3000-4000 people and we are in a position to make it absolutely safe for them," Gill said.